In 56 plate appearances (so, sample size alert), Sale held right-handers to a .120/.214/.240 batting line. He did it while throwing them six change-ups in 220 pitches (2.7%), which accounted for 3 balls, 2 called strikes and 1 swinging strike. It was a non-factor. as he went with a two-pitch approach: 66.8% four seamers, 26.4% sliders. And, to my surprise, looking at his Texas Leaguers chart, he wasn’t just back-dooring the slider everytime. It’s a pitch he trusts, and a pitch that works, against right-handers. …

I credit Baseball America and Matt Eddy being the first to make me aware of Mike Blanke, the team’s 13th-round pick from the Division II University of Tampa. Blanke hit .329/.400/.508 in the Pioneer League, where Eddy ranked him as the number seven prospect. He wrote, “…he would have gone much earlier had clubs had any inkling that he would show plus power, arm strength and receiving skills in his pro debut.” …

I have to hope and assume that Sale will soak in some knowledge from Don Cooper these last two months, but then be ready to open next season in Double-A, as a starter. Petricka has some fantastic potential, and don’t sleep on ninth-round pick Kevin Moran, who also has a good arm. …

It’s been just over 2 months since the draft and most of the top picks have been signed, and signed for a while, so I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how they were performing. Now it should be noted that sample sizes of this size are relatively meaningless, but it’s interesting to look at nonetheless.

Inside the Pick: Every draft has one player who takes a surprising fall, and this year it was Sale. For the player some thought was the best college pitcher in the draft to fall to 13th overall is a massive get for the White Sox.What He is: Sale is the rare pitcher who combines size (6-foot-6), velocity (up to 96 mph), and plus command from the left side. His changeup was among the best in the draft, and he consistently dominated week after week, including in his few starts against top-notch competition.What He is Not: Sale’s low three-quarters arm slot gives some scouts concern. It prevents him from being able to get around on his slider, and gives right-handed hitters a very long look at the ball.Path with the White Sox: Sale shouldn’t have too many problems at the lower levels based solely on his velocity and command. If he can find a dependable breaking ball, he has a chance to really move quickly.

June 11, 2010

1) Chris Sale, LHP, Florida Gulf Coast University: No one expected Sale to fall this far, 13th overall. He’s a steal in this slot. Although his delivery is unconventional, he repeats it well and I’m not convinced that his injury risk is any higher than any other pitcher.

2) Jacob Petricka, RHP, Indiana State University: Raw before this year, Petricka improved his mechanics this year and got his fastball up to 98 MPH at times. He still needs refinement, but has a lot of potential as a relief arm.

3) Addison Reed, RHP,San Diego State: Very polished, Reed throws 89-92 as a starter but hit the mid-90s when used as a closer in ’09. He has a good slider and changeup. If used in rotation, he looks like a number three or four starter, but if he moves to the pen he could move very fast as a closer through the system.

3S) Thomas Royse, RHP, University of Louisville: Another polished arm, with a 90 MPH fastball and a workable slider and changeup.

Though he spent the early part of his collegiate career in the bullpen, he’d like to keep starting if he could.”I’ve done both but I enjoy starting more,” he said. “They [th Sox] are in control now, so whatever they want me to do I will.”

Royse’s self-evaluation is as follows – an upper 80s, low-90s fastball that moves on both sides of the plate and has life on both sides of the plate.

“It has a little cut and run,” he said before adding that he has a “usable” slider that’s still developing and a solid changeup with which he is getting more comfortable.

On the MLB.com broadcast, Johnathan Mayo raved about Petricka’s upper 90s fastball, but mentioned that he might need to be converted to the bullpen.

… Baseball America’s subscription only scouting report of Petricka mentions him as a high helium type pick this year (the strikeouts support this as well). They say his fastball velocity has been inconsistent, sometimes sitting around 90, others sitting 92-94 and touching 98. His curve is a solid pitch, but needs work.